Description

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) is an independent, international, nonprofit organization devoted to the advancement of interdisciplinary research in the social sciences through a wide variety of workshops and conferences, fellowships and grants, summer training institutes, scholarly exchanges, research, and publications. For more information, please visit our website: www.ssrc.org.

The Media & Democracy program at the SSRC encourages academic research, practitioner reflection, and public debate on all aspects of the close relationship between media and democracy. Media & Democracy asks, for example, how recent transformations in journalism have affected democratic discourse and participation. Conversely, the program also examines how changes in the political landscape, such as increasing polarization, have affected the media. The program takes a wide definition of media (including but not limited to news and journalism) and looks at various aspects of democracy.

The Media & Democracy program now seeks a Program Officer whose principal responsibility will be for a new initiative, the “Understanding Digital Mis- and Disinformation” research mapping project. Disinformation, misinformation, and “fake news” are long-standing phenomena that, in the wake of the digital revolution, have become newly politicized and consequential. Now more than ever, citizens around the world have instant access to a vast variety of information—some of which is purposely misleading or manufactured, frequently to political ends. Research on these phenomena is rapidly accumulating in a diverse set of disciplines, sometimes resulting in parallel efforts.

 

As a respected and nonpartisan organization, the SSRC has developed a project to help consolidate this emerging scholarly literature and communicate its findings to the broader public. The “Understanding Digital Mis- and Disinformation” research mapping project will, among other activities:

• Curate a compendium of recent research on (mis)information in the digital era.
• Summarize the state of the field in continuously updated “living” literature reviews.
• Produce written reflections on the state of the field and policy recommendations.
• Publish these products on a designated web platform whose intended audience includes scholars, public policy practitioners, technology practitioners, journalists, and interested citizens.

 

The Program Officer will have a PhD in a relevant field and prior knowledge of the scholarly literature related to digital mis- and disinformation. (S)he will be able to effectively track developments in the relevant scholarly fields, write literature reviews summarizing recent developments and scientific findings, communicate take-aways to audiences beyond the academy, and represent the SSRC at professional gatherings. The role also requires effective teamwork and management skills.

 

This is a two-year position, with the potential of renewal for a third year. The Program Officer will report to the Codirector of the Media & Democracy program.

 

Responsibilities

• Oversee the development of the project’s web platform by working closely with the technology development team.
• Manage the research content of the project, including gathering, documenting, and communicating a compendium of research.
• Write literature reviews that summarize recent research; continue to update these as new research is published.
• Oversee the editorial and publishing process of material on the project's web platform.
• Attend conferences and convenings with the dual aims of learning about the latest not-yet-published research and promoting awareness of this project among relevant scholars; engage in activities to promote awareness of the initiative among journalists and practitioners.
• Liaise with the project’s advisory board of leading scholars. This will include recruiting scholars to the board, coordinating written reflection pieces from individual members of the board, and working with them on the project’s strategic direction.
• Oversee planning for events and conferences.

• Manage program budgets; prepare and draft grant proposals as well as grant narrative reports.
• Contribute more broadly to the efforts of the Media & Democracy program, depending upon interest and capacity.

 

Qualifications

Required:

• PhD in communications studies, media studies, sociology, political science, or other related field.
• Knowledge of current academic research on the digital spread of news, the spread and influence of information, digital mis- and disinformation, and/or related fields.
• Ability to write clear and compelling prose, especially for the purpose of translating academic research to a broader audience.
• Team player with demonstrated ability to take initiative, work independently, and respond flexibly to changing demands.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills; attention to detail and a high degree of professionalism.
• Interest in working in a professional role at the interface between the academic, technology, and nonprofit spheres.

 

Preferred:

• Prior experience managing people and delegating tasks.
• Knowledge of quantitative methods in the social sciences.
• Prior experience in web development.

 

Terms, Salary and Benefits

Annual salary will be commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits include health, dental, vision, disability, life, and gym reimbursement; outstanding pension plan and tax savings programs; generous vacation and sick leave; and more. Provisions are made for professional staff to continue their development as social scientists while at the Council.

 

Application Information

Applications should be received by July 13 for priority consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled. Please use link to apply: https://grnh.se/cfb4d98a2

 

The Social Science Research Council is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are dedicated to equal employment opportunity and to cultivating and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce.  SSRC maintains a policy of non-discrimination with all employees and applicants for employment.  All aspects of employment with the Council are made on the basis of competence, skill and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, creed, color, religion, sex/gender, national origin/ancestry, ethnicity, age, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital or domestic partner status, medical conditions (including pregnancy and/or genetic information) or physical or mental disability, citizenship status or any other categories prohibited by law.